Sloths are the undisputed pull-up world champions. From the moment they are born sloths are able to lift their entire body weight upwards with just one arm. Not only that, but sloths have 30% less muscle mass than similar sized mammals and are over three times stronger than the average human.
Incredibly, the three-toed sloth can turn their head almost 360 degrees! This helps keep them safe and protected, as they can get an accurate view of their complete surroundings.
This extraordinary plant predator is half blind, half deaf and spends most of its time sleeping in trees. So how does a sloth's day compare to ours?
Sloths are legally blind.
These slow animals have rod monochromacy, a rare condition that means they lack cone cells in their eyes. Because of this sloths are colorblind, and can only see very poorly in dim lighting.
Having a good spatial memory is important for sloths as they have poor eyesight. They navigate around their home ranges using their memory and sense of smell! However, the sloths social skills and problem solving abilities are somewhat lacking, which often leads to them being labelled as “stupid”.
Two: Sloths Urinate and Defecate just once a week
In fact, this is one of the only times they ever venture down from their leafy and branchy abode.
The facial structure of a sloth gives the appearance that they are constantly smiling – even if they're experiencing pain, stress, or anxiety. When sloths are used as a photo prop for wildlife selfies, tourists may accidentally confuse this feature for happiness or contentment.
Sloths can seem cute and friendly, but if provoked they can be dangerous. According to AZ Animals, if left alone in their natural habitat, sloths do not pose a threat to humans. Sloths who become agitated or feel threatened may use their teeth or long nails to cause pain.
Because sloths are solitary, wild animals, they prefer to be alone. They do not crave human attention like dogs or cats. Nor do they like to be petted, groomed, or bathed because these are not natural behaviors for them.
ISFP: Sloth
Peaceful and easygoing, ISFPs take things at their own pace and live moment to moment. They are considerate, pleasant, caring, and mellow. Their values are important to them, but they are not ones who particularly care about defending or debating their views publicly.
Live a slow life
The not-so-new slow perspective essentially offers an alternative to established values. One that is more connected to nature, mindfulness and the pursuit of serenity. Sloths show us that slowing down is far from boring. Quite the opposite, it has been their key to survival in every possible way.
Sloths can survive nearly any wound
Three-toed sloths may not move quickly, but their speedy recovery from wounds that would kill other animals have made them the focus of scientific research.
The facial structure of a sloth gives the appearance that it is constantly smiling – even if it is experiencing pain, stress or anxiety.
Three-toed sloths cut down on the inconvenience by only pooping an average of once every week, a frequency that would have most of us downing laxatives and praying for death.
Adelaide Zoo is celebrating the life of one of its most iconic and oldest residents, Australia's last sloth, Miss C the Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth.
Sloths have an average body temperature of around 31 degrees, so they can't survive outside of the tropics. Oh, me? I am just hanging around. Like koalas, there's a common misconception that sloths are slow and lazy because they're always high, or something along those lines.
While it's not yet possible to have a pet sloth in Australia, if that day ever does come around they might just replace dogs as the ultimate family pet.
They have strong teeth that they can use to bite someone in addition to their lethal claws. Two-fingered sloths can bite anyone who approaches them too closely with their four sharp teeth, which resemble big canines.
It is best not to handle or touch a sloth as they are highly sensitive creatures. Sloths are extremely sensitive creatures. Because sloths are highly scented animals, touching them can be dangerous. They can become agitated because of lotions and perfumes worn by others, loud noises, or inappropriate handling.
The entry on sloths explains that while they eat a lot of plants, they avoid releasing gas through the quirk of their slow digestion. “They only poo about every three weeks,” says Rabaiotti. If gases accumulated in sloths' intestines over that long a time, they might get sick — and even burst.
The three-toed sloth emits a long, high-pitched call that echoes through the forests as “ahh-eeee.” Because of this cry these sloths are sometimes called ais (pronounced “eyes”).